| Romans 6:5-8 "If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." The meaning of baptism is for us to die, be buried and be resurrected with the Lord. The difference between being alive and dead is whether a person responds. When a person ceases to respond to things, it's like his heart is dead. On the contrary, when the same person becomes interested in many things and responds to things, it's like he became alive again. To "die with Christ" is to be dead towards to world with Jesus, which means we no longer response with love towards things of the world and no longer desire for sinful matters. The joy we receive from committing sin can only bring us temporary pleasure, but we'll be ultimately led into eternal emptiness. When a person's eyes turn to God, he will no longer desire the world. Suddenly he is released from burden of sin, because he no longer considers those things as important. That is the meaning of to "die with Christ." To "live with Christ" means to become alive with Jesus, to begin responding to the Lord. Each time we read the scripture our heart will be touched, each time we worship we long to come before the Lord, and each time we serve God we are willing and honored. We no longer complain about not having the manpower, money or time. Just like what Psalm 42 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Brothers and sisters, is your heart alive or dead? A dead person won't know about sin, because he has no response towards anything. If your heart is still filled with things of the world, may God help us to lay down all your burdens before the Lord. Also, if your heart has been lukewarm towards God, may God give you a heart that is on fire! 
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu Lord, I thank you because you have promised us that if we die with you, you will make us come alive with you. May the Spirit of the Lord renew our heart and soul right now so that we will love you more! I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
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